Brian Kerr

Dudu prick.

It wasn't the Israel game that was the most galling of the 04/05 campaign because 8 times out 10, Ireland would beat Israel in those circumstances, but that last game at home to Switzerland. If ever there was a time to be fired up and go for it, that was the game, and yet the team delivered the quintessential, depressingly conservative performance against a Swiss side who may have been reasonably well-organised but certainly no world-beaters. And I lay the blame squarely at the players' feet for that. If you can't have a go there, you don't deserve to be at the World Cup. 

Edited by BriMurt - 23 Jun 2017 at 3:02pm

FrankosHereNow wrote: BriMurt wrote: It wasn't the Israel game that was the most galling of the 04/05 campaign, but that last game at home to Switzerland. If ever there was a time to be fired up and go for it, that was the game, and yet the team delivered the quintessential, depressingly conservative performance against a Swiss side who may have been reasonably well-organised but certainly no world-beaters. And I lay the blame squarely at the players' feet for that. If you can't have a go there, you don't deserve to be at the World Cup.  That was an extremely frustrating match. I remember feeling so angry leaving the stadium after the game. IIRC, he took Robbie Keane off after 75 minutes and put on Stephen Elliot. We didn't threaten at all. I was expecting the usual high tempo, long balls pumped into the box etc for the last 20 minutes or so but there was nothing. At the time I wanted Kerr to be sacked but looking back, he should have been given the Euro 2008 campaign.

FrankosHereNow wrote: BriMurt wrote: It wasn't the Israel game that was the most galling of the 04/05 campaign, but that last game at home to Switzerland. If ever there was a time to be fired up and go for it, that was the game, and yet the team delivered the quintessential, depressingly conservative performance against a Swiss side who may have been reasonably well-organised but certainly no world-beaters. And I lay the blame squarely at the players' feet for that. If you can't have a go there, you don't deserve to be at the World Cup.  That was an extremely frustrating match. I remember feeling so angry leaving the stadium after the game. IIRC, he took Robbie Keane off after 75 minutes and put on Stephen Elliot. We didn't threaten at all. I was expecting the usual high tempo, long balls pumped into the box etc for the last 20 minutes or so but there was nothing. At the time I wanted Kerr to be sacked but looking back, he should have been given the Euro 2008 campaign.

I'll never forget that Dudu prick punching Andy O'Brien in the face which, somehow got O'Brien sent off. 

OohAah... wrote: The notion was aswell the players were bored with the level of detail and preparation he went into before games. Hence He couldnt get them fired up.

Territorial wrote: thebronze14 wrote: tony grealish wrote: valo88 wrote: Ive mixed feelings for Kerr, was a big fan of him until I met him... Such an arrogant man and still bitter about the how he was treated as senior manager. From a football point of view, I agree with 99% what he has to say. Theres no doubt he knows his ball inside out, great dept of knowledge of the game.. the dogs on the street know it.. But its comments like I wouldn't pay to see Ireland after the Austria game and when I met him he was saying to our group he was only there for the pay day.. couldn't give a fiddlers about the ball or team that annoyed me. That'd be the complete opposite of how I have found him to be any time I have met him. I've met him a number of times and he's always been very approachable and more than willing to talk football - especially, as MC Hammered mentioned, LOI. I'd be the same...approached him with the Harps jersey on in Moldova and he was more than happy to chat all things LOI...The main thing I took from the chat though was how much he hated Zimbru, as they had knocked Pats out of Europe at one stage! When he was managing the Faroes, they drew NI in one of the qualifying groups. After the game out there, he cadged a lift back on the IFA flight (a charter), on which there were also a number of NI fans. Despite everything, including the fact we only drew , they all liked him and thought him sound.

Decent point for your lot back then.

The thing with Kerr was the team seemed to show no spirit at all. Very flat performances. Eg. Switzerland away 2003, home 2005, France 2005...

Now the players were definitely at fault too.  I heard they hated the team meetings and didnt bother watching the DVDs Kerr gave them to watch on the opposition and wanted the party days back. It was too serious for them.  I find that pathetic for professionals tbh.

That's why they were initially pleased when Stan got the job and brought back the ''feel good factor'' (ha!) as it was called at the time. He brought back Tony Hickey and they all hopped on him when we beat Sweden 3-0. Stan was going to bring back the ways of Jack.

Despite what Dunphy says on RTE I find the Irish players unprofessional.  Ok they usually give their all (most of the time) but there is definitely a culture of liking to come over for interntional duty and having a piss up. They don't like being professional. They were in coppers after the Austria match.  I see them in there after nearly every match.  That's a joke tbh.

I suppose Kerr had Keane, Duff, Given, Dunne at their very best form. Duff was at Chelsea, Dunne player of the year at City, Given in top form, Keane banging them in at Spurs.  They were all very mediocre when they played for Eire under Kerr.

Trap junior wrote: The thing with Kerr was the team seemed to show no spirit at all. Very flat performances. Eg. Switzerland away 2003, home 2005, France 2005... Now the players were definitely at fault too.  I heard they hated the team meetings and didnt bother watching the DVDs Kerr gave them to watch on the opposition and wanted the party days back. It was too serious for them.  I find that pathetic for professionals tbh. That's why they were initially pleased when Stan got the job and brought back the ''feel good factor'' (ha!) as it was called at the time. He brought back Tony Hickey and they all hopped on him when we beat Sweden 3-0. Stan was going to bring back the ways of Jack. Despite what Dunphy says on RTE I find the Irish players unprofessional.  Ok they usually give their all (most of the time) but there is definitely a culture of liking to come over for interntional duty and having a piss up. They don't like being professional. They were in coppers after the Austria match.  I see them in there after nearly every match.  That's a joke tbh. I suppose Kerr had Keane, Duff, Given, Dunne at their very best form. Duff was at Chelsea, Dunne player of the year at City, Given in top form, Keane banging them in at Spurs.  They were all very mediocre when they played for Eire under Kerr.